What are VPNs? Definition, Benefits, Strengths and Weaknesses

What are VPNs? – Currently, VPN is being hailed in the process of surfing the internet network. In fact, there are many different types of VPN available and users only have to choose according to their needs.

Even when cases of theft of personal data in the digital world are rife, VPNs are said to be a safe solution for such cases. Is that true?

Then, what exactly is a VPN? How does a VPN work so that it can be called “safe” for its users?

So, so that Sinaumed’s knows the answers to these questions, let’s look at the following explanation about VPNs!

Understanding VPN

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network , aka a secure internet network connection for its users. Through a VPN, the access that you give to any website can run securely and privately , namely by changing the connection path through the server and hiding any data exchange that occurs.

How does that mean?

Now, a VPN connects a smartphone (can also be a PC or tablet) to another computer somewhere connected to the internet, so a VPN can be useful for “permissions” in browsing the internet to use a computer internet network.

So, if the computer ( server ) is in a different country, then the internet connection that you use adjusts to the VPN from that country. A VPN can also be useful for accessing things that you previously couldn’t access from your country.

In ancient times, VPN became a service that was often used by companies or organizations in an effort to protect their data. However, now with the development of the times, VPNs can be used by various users to access sites that have regional or connection restrictions.

How Do VPNs Work?

The way a VPN works is by encrypting data exchange before connecting publicly. Encryption is the process of turning information into a secret code to obscure data sent, received or stored on the internet network.

Someone using a VPN is tantamount to accessing the internet through a special network so that other people don’t know about it.

The VPN server will later be tasked with forwarding the connection to the destination site that you will access. So, the connection you make will be recognized as a connection from the VPN server network, not from the network used at that time.

Simply put, if you access a site without using a VPN, then your network connection will be made directly ( directly ) without the encryption process. However, if you use a VPN, your network connection will first go through an encryption process via the VPN server.

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If you use a VPN to access Google, Youtube, or other entertainment platforms, it won’t cause any problems.

However, if you use a VPN to access data in online banking processes or business emails, then of course it will cause problems. This is because in the network towards online banking, it has a more stringent security system.

Is Using a VPN Legal and Safe?

Reporting from Bisnis.com, using a VPN is of course a legal action and does not violate the law. This is because it refers to the usefulness of a VPN, which is to make the internet connection private and secure.

However, as previously explained. VPNs are also illegal and problematic when used to access networks to online banking or business email .

Even so, each VPN service has different deficiencies and levels of security, so it can be said that whether it is safe or not depends on the type of VPN service you are using.

Whether or not using a VPN is safe is due to two main factors, namely

1. Legal Restrictions

In using a VPN there are legal and policy restrictions that greatly affect the level of security. Every country where VPN servers are located has laws regarding implementing VPNs in their service.

2. Technology Limitations

Limited technology is also a safe factor in using a VPN. This is because VPN development also depends on the type of internet network protocol and encryption used.

How to Use a VPN?

VPN use is usually on smartphones and computers. For smartphones, you can use the VPN application available on the PlayStore . After you finish downloading the VPN application, you can have a VPN service available according to your needs.

Meanwhile, for laptops, you can click the ” Network ” icon on the taskbar and select ” Network Settings “. After that, select VPN and click “ Add a VPN Connection ”. If you have added a VPN connection according to your needs, then you can access the internet as usual.

Benefits of VPNs

This VPN or Virtual Private Network actually has many benefits, you know… What are the benefits of using a VPN?

1.Remote Access

Through VPN you can do remote access. What is remote access ? Remote access is a permit process to access the internet through an office network, no matter where you are, as long as you are still connected to the internet.

2. Secure Personal Information Anonymously

A VPN can be useful for hiding your location directly when accessing the internet. This is so that not just anyone can find out where you are when accessing the internet. Through a VPN, the detected location is based on the location of the VPN server you are using.

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3. Device Information Encryption

By using a VPN, it will be useful in the form that not everyone can easily identify the device along with the internet history that you are using.

4. ByPass

If you want to stream video on a site, usually there will be restrictions on accessing the site because it is considered dangerous. So, by using a VPN, you can bypass these geographic restrictions.

5. Data Encrypted

Previously, it was explained that the encryption process is the process of turning information into a secret code to obscure data sent, received or stored on the internet network.

When there is an exchange of data with a web application using a VPN, your data will be encrypted. Through this encryption process, if someone sees what the computer is sending related to your information, what you see is only the encrypted data and the raw data.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a VPN

Everything certainly has advantages and disadvantages, as well as using a VPN in the process of accessing the internet network. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using a VPN?

Let’s look at the following reviews!

Pros of Using a VPN

  • Data is safer and confidential
  • The original IP identity is not directly known by others
  • Can access from different locations (countries) according to the chosen VPN service
  • Can access websites that have been blocked by the government or other organizations

Disadvantages of Using a VPN

  • Internet connection becomes slower
  • Manual configuration becomes quite complicated
  • There are restrictions on its use
  • Internet connection becomes unstable

The Right Time To Use A VPN

When can you use a VPN service? The VPN service can be used while doing the following activities!

  • When using public WiFi . This is so that the internet network connection that you use becomes more secure.
  • When you’re trying to hide your activities from people who want to find out secretly.
  • While hiding the location. This could be if the site you want to go to turns out to have geo-blocked content or the content on the site is blocked because of a certain geographic area.
  • When you want to be anonymous within a certain website.
  • When you want to access a site that is blocked by the government or certain organizations.

So, that’s an explanation about VPN and things related to VPN. Does Sinaumed’s often use VPN to access the internet network? If so , use it as needed Try not to harm other parties and don’t take illegal actions!

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